Gunstock Mountain is an awesome ski destination in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. It features incredible views of Lake Winnipesaukee, the Ossipee Range and even Mount Washington. If you are looking for some fantastic views in a quick ascent, this is a great option.
Distance: 2.2 Miles Round Trip (1.77 km)
Height: 2,245 feet (684 meters)
Elevation Gain: 1,140 feet (347 meters)
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 2 hours
Trails
Gunstock Mountain Trail – 2.2 Miles round Trip – 1,148 Feet Elevation Gain
There are various ways to summit Gunstock, but the most popular and direct route to the summit is the Gunstock Mountain Trail located on Carriage Road in Gilford.
The Gunstock Mountain trail trailhead is located off of Carriage Road in Gilford (directions below), while the brook trail is located at Gunstock Mountain Ski Resort Parking lot.
Other routes include the Brook Trail, the overlook trail, and the ridge trail from Mount Rowe.
Brook Trail – 3.2 Miles Round Trip – 1,270 Feet Elevation Gain
This route begins at the Gunstock Mountain ski area parking and heads up near ski trails and does cross a few. This is an awesome route that features views on the way up, as well as at the summit.
Trail Map
Download Full Map Here:
Alternate Routes
Hikers may also choose to hike Mount Rowe with Gunstock in a 4.7 mile loops.
Directions
To Gunstock Mountain Trailhead
To Brook Trail
Weather Forecast
Laconia, NH
This Afternoon
A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 48. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tonight
Rain before 10pm, then a chance of rain and patchy fog between 10pm and 1am, then patchy fog and a slight chance of rain between 1am and 4am, then patchy fog and a slight chance of rain and snow. Cloudy, with a low around 35. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Saturday
Patchy fog before 7am, then isolated rain showers between noon and 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday
Rain and snow likely after 8am. Cloudy, with a high near 35. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
Sunday Night
Snow. Cloudy, with a low around 30. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.
Monday
Snow likely before 10am, then a chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Photos Courtesy of Gunnar Stecher
Max DesMarais is the founder of hikingandfishing.com. He has a passion for the outdoors and making outdoor education and adventure more accessible. Max is a published author for various outdoor adventure, travel, and marketing websites. He is an experienced hiker, backpacker, fly fisherman, trail runner, and spends his free time in the outdoors. These adventures allow him to test gear, learn new skills, and experience new places so that he can educate others. Max grew up hiking all around New Hampshire and New England. He became obsessed with the New Hampshire mountains, and the NH 48, where he guided hikes and trail runs in the White Mountains. Since moving out west, Max has continued his frequent adventures in the mountains, always testing gear, learning skills, gaining experience, and building his endurance for outdoor sports. You can read more about his experience here: hikingandfishing/about